There are plenty of New York Giants players who are looking to rebound in 2024. Of course, the list includes quarterback Daniel Jones, whose season was cut short due to his torn ACL suffered against the Raiders. He's not the only one who has to up his game once Week 1 gets here, though.
There is one player in particular who is looking to vastly improve after two difficult campaigns in New York, with 2023 being no exception. That'd be right tackle Evan Neal, who was nothing short of disappointing during his second year with the team. Is there hope for him?
Bleacher Report recently came out with an article that listed former top NFL Draft picks who are most likely to resurrect their careers in 2024. On the list is Neal, a former No. 7 overall pick who is yet to live up to the massive hype surrounding his name. Perhaps BR is on to something?
Evan Neal is in a make-or-break season with the NY Giants
When the Giants drafted Neal in 2022, Big Blue fans were certain Neal could help an offensive line that had been a mess for countless years. His rookie season, he missed four games and allowed seven sacks in 738 snaps. This past season was no different, as he missed a large chunk of the year due to an ankle issue and he was a total liability on the outside.
Throughout the offseason, there's been speculation that the Giants could move Neal to guard (something Bleacher Report noted), especially after veteran Jermaine Eluemunor was signed in free agency. However, the plan, for now, is for Neal to stick at right tackle and Eluemunor to play left guard.
Should Neal struggle early on in the season, however, then you'd have to think Brian Daboll won't hesitate in making a switch at RT. The hope is that won't happen and that Neal will finally be able to put things together in '24.
New offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo will be tasked in making that happen. Will he? Only time will tell, but this could finally be the year where we see Neal play like the lineman a lot of people thought he'd turn out to be.